life-home &laquo; WordPress.com Tag Feedhttp://en.wordpress.com/tag/life-home/
Feed of posts on WordPress.com tagged "life-home"Wed, 04 Mar 2015 00:12:54 +0000http://en.wordpress.com/tags/enhttps://thefancypoorpeople.wordpress.com/2014/06/13/yes-you-do-need-ac-in-california-first-impressions-of-my-new-home/
Sat, 14 Jun 2014 01:43:40 +0000Britt Mhttps://thefancypoorpeople.wordpress.com/2014/06/13/yes-you-do-need-ac-in-california-first-impressions-of-my-new-home/https://dashofpink.wordpress.com/2014/06/11/summer-style-updates-closet-swap-campaign-for-raise-com/
Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:46:31 +0000deliaraatshttps://dashofpink.wordpress.com/2014/06/11/summer-style-updates-closet-swap-campaign-for-raise-com/Hello, dear readers! Summer is finally upon us, hurray! Picture me doing a ridiculously dorky happy dance through a rainbow, because that’s basically how I feel whenever the warm weather returns. And with summer we have a chance to wear summer outfits! This is very exciting, because we can show our legs and toes and arms again without all of those limbs freezing into numbness. Not too long ago, I was contacted by Jessica from Raise.com to be a part of their “Closet Swap” campaign highlighting how I’d be transitioning my style into summer – of course I said yes, and that’s how we got here! So without further ado, my favourite style tips and trends for summer:

1. White & Light Colours – even if you’re not vacationing in Cabo San Lucas or Mykonos, looking the part will make your day feel more special.

For casual settings, like running errands, hanging out at a beach or pool, or going to a fun patio, I love this beachy white dress – it’s a cute little H&M piece (similar here), and I love wearing it with a big colourful necklace and comfortable white wedges, like in this picture.

For work and dressier occasions, I picked up this sleek shift dress from Venus (similar here), which is a light ivory/cream with black lace detailing. It’s the perfect silhouette, and thanks to the lace needs very little embellishment. I usually wear it with a delicate bracelet and earrings, and here I’ve paired with red peeptoe heels that have roses on them to give it an added touch of colour.

Of course, an airy white maxi dress is perfect for that beachy vibe (similar here). This is one of my favourites from a vacation in Mexico, paired with bare feet and kisses!

This thrift store find makes me feel like I’m off to pick flowers or berries, and I always get compliments on it. Here, I’ve paired it with simple white flats and sunglasses.

An old favourite, this sweet jersey dress from Venus (available here), with a simple silhouette that adds interest due to the zipper and slight shimmer in the side panel fabric. This dress basically feels like pajamas, and looks super cute – I’ve worn this both for adventuring (with flip flops and shades) and in the office with heels!

And I can’t leave out the classic fitted party dress from Sirens. This one is a lipstick red, and always looks great for a night on the town! Here, I’ve paired it with red lips and a fun silver clutch for a dinner cruise around Toronto’s waterfront.

3. Pops of Colour on Neutrals – Simple black and white will always look amazing, but why not dress it up with a splash of colour?

This is another cute party dress from Venus, black with paillettes all over it. For fun, I’ve paired it with bright pink satin heels for a fun night out.

This outfit is one of my all-time favourites – a black bustier top with a frilly white skirt with black lace detailing from Le Chateau! (Fun fact: This is the exact outfit I was wearing when I met my husband, 5 years ago!) I chose to wear it with simple black patent pumps (these ones), and let the neon pink clutch from Aldo shine.

4. Accessories – the easiest (and often most budget-friendly) way to change your style for the seasons. I’ve already mentioned a few, like adding a fun pair of bright heels, a big necklace, or a fun clutch, and for summer – sunglasses!

This is the same red party dress from before, but instead of the silver clutch, I paired it with a fun flower in my hair and silver heels, super cute and feminine!

Here, I’m wearing the blue version of the zip neckline jersey dress from Venus, but this time with delicate black sandals from Naturalizer, sunglasses, and my beloved Aldo clutch, which has a cool chain to wear as a crossbody bag.

There you have it, my 4 simple ways to update your style for summer. Don’t be afraid to try a new colour or combination, flaunt your favourites (did someone say pink?), and enjoy all the open-toed, light fabric, shorter hemlines you can while the weather is right for it.

Also, be sure to check out Raise.com, the great company that is running this campaign! They work based on an awesome idea – you can buy discounted gift cards there, and sell unused gift cards for cash! It works really well to save money, since you have so much variety, and you can get exactly what you want!

Happy styling, and shopping!

]]>https://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/06/10/the-summer-bucket-list/
Tue, 10 Jun 2014 03:43:51 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/06/10/the-summer-bucket-list/I could tell you that I ran 3.5 miles and did 1/3 of a burpee mile yesterday. I could tell you I’m supposed to teach a university class in a couple weeks. I could tell you I have been corresponding with a double dutch group. Or that I am planning on seeing an opera this month. I could tell you all that, but really, all I can think about is SUMMMMMMMERRRRRRR.

Today was the first day of the last week of school. My students were miserable little adolescent jerks. The window shades were pulled down “to keep the temperature down,” but really it was so my wandering eyes wouldn’t get distracted by the perfect weather.

So yeah, I could talk about all my regular goals (that are mostly on track), but my summer bucket list is way more on the forefront of my mind right now.

Convince my friend, Frances, to let me throw her a Roman Birthday Party

Pick an old TV series to watch from beginning to end

Play ping pong

Do a puzzle

Paint our bedroom a new color

Camp in a yurt on Sauvie’s Island

Four more days, people. Four more days.

]]>https://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/classic-movies-of-may/
Tue, 03 Jun 2014 02:27:41 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/classic-movies-of-may/I didn’t get much reading done, but that’s because I was watching SO MANY movies!

First off, according to the internet, a “classic” movies is defined as any movie made prior to 20 from the present. I’m pretty sure Blockbuster decided that in like 1997 so that they could fill their “classics” rack with more crap. But whatever, I’ll go with it.

Back to the Future (1985): Thor’s birthday was a couple weeks ago, and he’s a huuuuuge Back to the Future fan…so when I saw that it was playing downtown in the theater, I knew it was kismet. We’ve watched it together a million times, but seeing it on the big screen was way more fun. I was also reminded what a genius Crispin Glover can be.

Back to the Future 2 (1989): On our way of the theater, our friend, Kerrie, remarked that she had never seen the sequel to the first BTTF. We immediately persuaded her to come back to our house and watch it with us. For me, this one might be my favorite, only because I absolutely love how sleazy Biff becomes. And who can deny the fun in comparing 1989’s version of 2015 with our lives today?

But wait – there’s more!

Although I teach 6th grade 90% of my day, I also have an Study Hall elective that is an eclectic mix of 6th-8th graders at the end of everyday. Study Hall isn’t teaching. It’s more like being Mark Harmon in Summer School. I sit around and occasionally give them wise advice or make sarcastic comments. Most of the kids in there were “assigned” my class due to failing grades, but of course they never bring their homework, or if they even do they can’t focus on it for more than, like, 47 seconds. After suffering for three quarters trying to corral these completely unmotivated teenagers, I had pretty much given up.

Until a few weeks ago when a girl noticed Jurassic Park on my iTunes. “Can we watch it?!” She cried. Then the whole class begged me. So I pushed play. Why not?

It was the easiest three days in Study Hall e-v-e-r. Why hadn’t I played movies earlier????? They sat and watched the movie while slowly working on their homework. Productivity actually went UP. I decided we would watch several more “classic” movies.

Jurassic Park (1993): Though I hadn’t seen this one in awhile, I’ve got to say it’s just as good as it was when I first saw it as a kid. In a world that is inundated with CGI, it’s nice to see some robotic dinosaurs still look pretty good. Even better was seeing my students fall in love with the story. Although I can’t say I’m super impressed with the acting, y’all know Jeff Goldblum is the shit.

E.T. (1982): While searching for another school-appropriate Spielberg movie, I realized I haven’t seen ET in over 20 years, and within five minutes I remembered why. It’s so depressing. When ET gets left behind, I’m an emotional mess. When ET points out the window and says, “Hoooooome,” I’m an emotional mess. When ET gets found by the stream all white and dying, I’m an emotional mess. When ET makes the boys’ bikes fly over the cop cars, I’m an emotional mess. IT NEVER ENDS. That being said, none of my students had seen the movie and they also fell in love with it.

The Dark Crystal (1982): Yeah, we were on an 80’s kid movie roll. Although I heard a lot of snickering when the narrator started talking about the “skesis,” the kids’ attention was soon unwavering. This movie is a good reminder that dark stories really appeal to kids, and that they deserve more complicated fairy tales than Disney’s Frozen can provide.

Labyrinth (1986): One of our vocabulary words in class was “labyrinth” and I was trying to explain that a labyrinth is more than just a maze; it has obstacles and plays tricks on people. The kids didn’t quite get it, so I showed them a clip from Labyrinth” in an effort to help them understand. Seeing David Bowie (who they already knew from studying Space Oddity in a music unit) dressed up like the goblin king just led to more questions. Finally, I agreed that we could watch the movie if they were good.

Overall, it was definitely educational for all of us. I realized how much all of these movies guided my preferences in literature and films later in life. I guarantee my classic movies in June will be much older than all these 80s classics, but we had a good time nonetheless.

]]>https://reidmore.me/2014/05/30/folly-beach-trip-photo-diary/
Fri, 30 May 2014 13:15:35 +0000reidmorehttps://reidmore.me/2014/05/30/folly-beach-trip-photo-diary/It’s become quite the annual tradition. Each Memorial Day, a small group of college friends gather upon Charleston, South Carolina for a long weekend reunion filled with sun, sand, fruity drinks, and pups. It’s a long 8 hour drive from DC, but this South Carolina grad is always happy to be back in the land of sweat tea and “yes mam.”

This Memorial Day we rented a dusty pink beach house in Folly Beach, SC, just steps from the sand. Despite the beach being covered with tourists and construction equipment all weekend, we still managed to spend the majority of the trip floating in the waves or sprawled out on beach towels, slathered head to toe in SPF. We spent a day in downtown Charleston, enjoying the best rooftop happy hour and fresh seafood for dinner. From kayaking among dolphins to feasting upon low country boil, I was in pure heaven. The trip is the perfect combination of naps on the beach relaxation and Cards Against Humanity fun.

rooftop happy hour

watson

beach buds

palmetto tree

rooftop bar

tilly

oyster tasting

oysters

sunbathing

surf shops

charleston

rental house folly beach

custom coozies

low country boil

downtown charleston

folly beach

cheers

respect the beach

After a perfect 2014 Memorial Day reunion weekend, I’m already counting down the days for next year’s trip.

Let’s face it. We are all going to die. Some sooner than others, and I constantly worry that a tragic accident will befall me and I won’t have specified the details of how I want to go out. As you can tell, I have a lot of unique hobbies and interests. My music tastes are somewhat offbeat, and my fashion aesthetic mixes between Joan Rivers and Snooki. Clearly, no average funeral will do.

Rather than have my loved ones toss together a tasteful and somber reception (is that the right word?), I think it’s important I make the decisions now just in case. Let’s be clear that I fully intend to live till 107 years old, so this is not a pathetic cry for help.

Have you seen TLC’s show “Best Funeral Ever”?

I’m not saying I want an MTV “My Super Sweet 16″ kind of funeral – but I am saying that I have some particular requests. In a living state, I enjoy planning parties. In fact, I sometimes lament that I didn’t become an event planner (then I remember I only like to plan my own events), so there are some important decisions to be made.

First off, I’m not religious, so all those special rituals can be taken right out of the equation. In fact, let me clarify that I do not want any religious themes, verses, songs or icons present.

I also don’t think I want to be buried. While my ego does enjoy the idea of having a massive headstone where people have a physical place to visit me, I don’t like the idea of being shut-up in a box. I also don’t want to be pumped full of chemicals (when I’ve worked so hard to avoid them in life). In fact, that’s kind of scary; I think cremation may be the way to go. Thus my “funeral” is more like a macabre commemorative “party.” Make sense?

But at this point, there are just too many details for one post. While I would never have considered myself a “bridezilla” I kind of have a feeling that I might be a “diezilla” (get it?! HAHA!).

I’ve decided to break this goal up into a few posts. Today, we will talk about music. Of course, this will evolve over time, but right now these are my requests for the DJ. It’s my party so I can play as much Lady Gaga as I want to. Thinking about my guests, these songs are in a specific order: weepy songs for an older generation and then party music (because I know the old timers will bail early, and my younger friends will be drinking heavily and ready to party after dark).

Last Wishes Playlist*

One of These Days – Neil Young

Space Oddity – David Bowie

Dreams – Fleetwood Mac

Love is the Answer – Aloe Blacc

Wicked Game – Chris Isaak

Just Like Jesse James – Cher

Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers

Careless Whisper – George Michael

I Ain’t in Checotah Anymore – Carrie Underwood

Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert

My Rifle, My Pony, and Me – Buddy Case

Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver

That’s Alright Mama – Elvis Presley

Enjoy the Silence – Depeche Mode

Fade Into You – Mazzy Star

Bury Me – Smashing Pumpkins

Nodding Off – Wavves

Sleep – Nada Surf

Holiday – Weezer

*Intermission

Repeater – Fugazi

Last Caress – Misfits

Live Fast Die Young – Circle Jerks

Summertime Sadness – Lana Del Rey

Cry Me a River – Justin Timberlake

Edge of Glory – Lady Gaga

Party in the USA – Miley Cyrus

Die Young – Ke$ha

It Was a Good Day – Ice Cube

California Love – Tupac

The Show Goes On – Lupe Fiasco

Take Back the Night – Justin Timberlake

Tik Tok – Ke$ha

Sabotage – Beastie Boys

Telephone – Lady Gaga

Up All Night – One Direction

Borderline – Madonna

Psycho Killer – Talking Heads

Suburban Home – Descendants

Holiday in Cambodia – Dead Kennedys

City of Angels – Distillers

Helena – My Chemical Romance

Tongue Tied – Grouplove

Cannonball – The Breeders

Hybrid Moments – Misfits

Linoleum – NOFX

Reject All American – Bikini Kill

Date With the Night – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Just Dance – Lady Gaga

Till the World Ends – Britney Spears

Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO

Press Gang – Murder City Devils

American Jesus – Bad Religion

Institutionalized – Suicidal Tendencies

What Do I Get? – Buzzcocks

We Can’t Stop – Miley Cyrus

Buffalo Stance – Neneh Cherry

Ignition Remix – R. Kelly

Get Crazy – LMFAO

Let Me Know – Youth Brigade

*Feel free to karaoke any and/or all of these. It would please me to no end.

]]>https://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/05/22/thank-you-but-no-thank-you-runners-world/
Thu, 22 May 2014 01:41:14 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/05/22/thank-you-but-no-thank-you-runners-world/It probably wasn’t a good idea to try a new running technique just when the Portland weather is really starting to heat up and I wasn’t exactly in the mood for an afternoon run. But on Facebook, Runner’s World posted some article about how to get motivated when you don’t feel like running and I started to feel guilty. Then I remembered another article they posted recently, called Find Zen Through Running.

My first mile was a warm-up. The same way I would do things like every other day, and it was easier than I expected. Right at mile two, I started trying to find my “zen.”

The Tune In strategy said, “Pay attention to how you are breathing, how your feet are landing, how your arms are swinging. If you feel any tense areas (clenched fists or tight shoulders), relax them.” I really focused on this for half a mile, and then things started to shift. My mind was tired of paying attention, it just wanted to listen to Miley Cyrus! And I realized how freaking hot it was outside, and I was really “tuning in” to how hard I was sweating. The 74 degree weather (compared to our normally 47 degree rain) was like a furnace blast, even when standing still at a crosswalk.

Never fear! The next strategy is Think Happy, “…athletes who rated themselves calm and happy before a competition performed better than those who were angry or tense.” Who commissed that researched? University of Duhhhhh? I kept saying to myself, “Hey! You’re injury free, you have no worries right now and damnnnn you’re outfit looks legit,” but I couldn’t stop tuning into my stupid body, and then I had to pee.

At this point, I really tried to Accept the Challenge, “Monster hills, uncooperative weather, and monotonous long runs can turn an enjoyable experience into a frustrating one—if you allow them to.” On pretty much every other run, I already do this. And I do it by tuning OUT! My runs have tons of hills, and frequently terrible weather (hel-lo Portland!), but I just zone out. I listen to Miley. But no amount of Miley could reverse how hot and exhausted I felt.

And finally Love the Run was out of the question, “While it’s good to want to improve, you also need to value the runner you are today.” Frankly, all I wanted to do today was get in an easy 5k and call it good. No focus on speed or hills, just finish. But by the 2.87 I was like “Screw this run!” and I walked home. I never walk home.

When I got home, I glanced at myself in the mirror and my mascara was running down my face like I was The Crow, and my left arch ached like a bitch.

This reminds me that my own personal running strategies work for me (quite well, I might add) and so it’s kind of silly to mess with that. Of course, I’m always into trying something new or fine tuning what I’ve got, but I naively assumed that Runner’s World had some magic potion and that was dumb on my part.

Last year I wrote a post, Running and Roleplaying, and I think it deserves a revisit…I should have used it today.

Today I ran a nice five mile run on what I like to call my “West Hills Fantasy Loop.” We live on the EDGE of the West Hills, though I’m sure true West Hills residents would consider us tawdry and unkempt. My run takes me into the back neighborhoods that were once farmlands and are now estates of wealthy families that have Lexus SUVs and gated entrances. My favorite one has a hidden stable and a manicured mini-orchard that I pass while cutting down a path from an elementary school.

But while the scenic view of my run often energizes me to run faster or farther (I can’t look like a schlump as those BMW ladies pass me – I must look like I belong there!), today my legs felt like lead. It was a surprisingly easy day at school and I had a nice, nutritious lunch so I had no excuses. Then my phone died (which meant no music, or tracking my distance). It was time to dig deep.

At the back of my mind was also the fact that I feel a plateau coming on. I’ve been able to run my fantasy loop (varying between 4-6 miles) pretty comfortably, but my speed hasn’t been improving to the point that I’m satisfied. At these moments, I like to employ a couple strategies I use to give myself a “speed boost.” Many people just turn up their music, or play their favorite song. As most of you know, the status quo just isn’t my style.

Five Proven Ways to Increase My Speed

1. Pretend my shoes are on fire. Yes, I really do this. I visualize how they leave flames behind me, and make me look really bad ass to the cars that pass by.

3. Pretend I’m being chased by a rapist. This one really kicks me into overdrive.

4. Pretend I’m in a commercial. Form is really important for this one, and sometimes a smile. This one is easy if I’m running around the Nike campus.

5. Pretend I’m a bank robber. I just stole a bag of money and I better haul ass out of there or I’m headed for the big house…or worse. I like to employ this one when I see a cop car (though I sometimes wonder if they ever notice how I suddenly run away from them at a high speed).

So if your runs are getting a little boring, I highly recommend a little role playing by yourself.

Yesterday my friend, David, and I “graduated” from the FBI Citizen’s Academy, after seven weeks of classes at the FBI building here in Portland. Overall, the experience was pretty different from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Citizen Academy I was in during the fall. Although it originally was a little less hands-on and a bit more formal lecture style, yesterday was also “range day” where we met out at Camp Bonneville to watch the bomb techs blow stuff up, and get the chance to shoot some guns on the range.

It was cool to tour the range area (not more than a few miles from where I grew up) and see a lot of the FBI training facility. It started with a presentation from the Evidence Response Team, and I was immediately putting together my next science lesson as they were showing us a lot of their evidence collection tools. Then we met with the bomb techs and detonated several different kinds of bombs. While I assumed blowing up a bomb would be fun, I didn’t realize how exhilarating it would be to literally feel the bombs resonate through me from 100 yards away.

Finally, we shot some guns. This is something I have little experience doing, but if you’ve followed my blog for awhile you know I’ve had some obstacles in learning to “properly” shoot a handgun. Although we didn’t get a whole lot of time to shoot, we did get to try three different types of guns.

Finally, we had our graduation lunch where we were presented with certificates and got to talk more personally with the agents who hosted the academy.

So where do I go from here? I did the math and we have devoted approximately 70 hours since September to these Citizen Academies. I learned a lot, and met some really interesting people from the community. On one hand, I feel more vulnerable now that I know how many criminals are out there preying on people (even more than my paranoid mind originally thought); but on the other hand I feel much safer that these experienced and educated people are out there. I’ve also done my part to spread what I have learned and advocate for both the Sheriff’s Department and FBI in any conversation where the topic arises.

David and I have both decided to join the FBI Citizen Academy Alumni network where there are events almost every month, even with a possible trip to visit Quantico in August. (Frankly, I can’t wait to be the one to bring snacks for the next academy). While I know many other bucket lists out there are like “Skydive in the Amazon,” I think my bucket list items have been much more rewarding because I didn’t just take a risk, but I went out of my way to become a better citizen.

]]>https://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/this-is-where-the-magic-happens/
Fri, 16 May 2014 04:27:08 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/this-is-where-the-magic-happens/Those who spend a lot of time with me personally would probably tell you that I spend an inordinate amount of time agonizing over what to do with my life…particularly for a career. I remember teachers asking me that proverbial question, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” and giving an exasperated reply of, “I’m only in 6th grade! How am I supposed to know?!” I wish someone would have told me that 20 years later I would have just as little direction as I did then. My head probably would have exploded right on the spot.

I don’t typically read my horoscope, but yesterday I was given a complimentary copy of the newspaper while getting my oil changed, and it seemed way too relevant.

At a time when a lot of burgeoning new teachers are asking me for references and insights into the process of getting a teaching job, I should feel grateful to not only just have a job, but to have one in such a great building with great students and parents and three amazing bosses. I really didn’t know this type of gig was possible.

So why am I continually unsatisfied? I used to be able to blame it on the system. There are no resources; I get no planning time; the students’ needs are beyond my scope of ability; the leadership is weak; standardized testing takes up too much class time, etc. But at my current school, I literally have no complaints. NOT ONE. I have a manageable class size; my team is fun and collaborative; I have resources from parents and the community; I am able to meet the needs of my current students (mind you, I’m in the exact same school district, so anyone who thinks equity isn’t a problem has got a real problem of their own).

I often wonder, do other people feel this way? They must! And then today three people on my FB feed posted, “I LOVE MY JOB!!!!” with like a million exclamation points. It’s like, yeah that’s great for you, but I kind of want to stab you at the same time. You know, a goodwill stab.

This last week I spent three very full days with my students at Outdoor School, where I am held against my will to sleep on a rubber mattress on the top bunk in a rustic dining hall while high schoolers endlessly sing songs and do skits for my adoring 6th graders. It’s kind of like my worst nightmare. But remember that awkward scene from Girls where Hannah gets hired as a freelance writer…?

Well there’s something to be said about this ridiculous idea. I always learn something new about myself at Outdoor School (now that I’ve been six times). I am always reminded that I really like to be outdoors, no matter the weather. And I like quiet. In fact, I need quiet. All the singing and excitement and just general human interaction is ok for about four hours, and then I get really grumpy. I’m also not good at faking happiness when I’m not happy. I’m also reminded that I need a schedule. The best part about Outdoor School is that they have this ENORMOUS schedule that’s pretty much down to the minute for each 24 hour period. I freaking love that.

The biggest thing I notice when I’m there? An almost magnetic pull to the kitchen. No, I’m not hungry. I want to get in there and WORK! I want to stir giant vats of mashed potatoes, and wash giant pots and pans, and refill the ranch dressing bottles. In addition, my favorite time at ODS is setting up the dining room for everyone. For me, there is nothing better than putting out silverware hot from the dishwasher onto napkins, and filling pitchers with water and counting the cups. But it doesn’t end there – ohhhh noooo. I can’t wait for everyone to leave so I can clean up after them. Wiping tables with bleach cloths, now that’s what I’m talking about.

So tell me – what’s a girl to do? Quit her comfortable teaching job so she can run away to be a camp cook for minimum wage? My horoscope said I should remain in my “pasture,” but dammit this horse wants to run freeeeeeeee.

Instead of one of those lame motivational silhouette pictures of someone doing a yoga pose on a beach, I thought this seemed more relevant.

]]>https://reidmore.me/2014/05/13/winery-weekend-getaway-equals-best-birthdays-ever/
Wed, 14 May 2014 03:41:56 +0000reidmorehttps://reidmore.me/2014/05/13/winery-weekend-getaway-equals-best-birthdays-ever/The great birthday riddle is solved. 2 wineries + 9 friends + 1 charming old farm house adds up to the recipe for a perfect birthday weekend getaway. After much anticipation and hype, I’m happy to report that the double birthday weekend of celebrations went off without a hitch! 25 is here and treating me well so far.

It is difficult to fathom another birthday celebration for myself and Sam that will hold such a perfect combination of entertainment and relaxation at once. The historic farm house from the 1700s provided a much-needed off the grid retreat for the long weekend.

While Saturday was spent tasting the fine wines at Blenheim and Trump Wineries, the rest of the weekend was spent playing cards in our yoga pants, playing corn hole, grilling large amounts of meat, and exploring the massive plot of land.

My thanks goes out to my dear friends who made this trip so lovely and turned a blind eye to a *ahem* goofy Morgan. Wine tastings and a birthday can do that to a girl. Sam and I are beyond grateful that our favorite people ventured outside the comforts of city life and trusted our horrible directions when it directed them down frightening and dark dirt roads. We wouldn’t have changed a thing… well, except for the 9×13 pan, filled to the brim with freshly cooked taco meat that spilled on the floor (RIP), covering Tilly’s forehead with orange taco grease…. but that’s a story for another day.

I am not a mother, but mothers are some of the most important people in our lives. They nurtured us from the very beginning of our existence, cared for us, loved us with hearts bigger than we can dream.

On Mother’s Day, mothers are given breakfast in bed. They smile as their small children present them with pictures, crafts, and handpicked wildflowers. They are taken out to dinner (or Daddy cooks!). They receive cards and gifts. Because they have given so much, and one day can never begin to repay that.

Today, for the mamas, I give you the song “Mama”, sung by the breathtaking group Il Divo. The music video is below, enjoy, be warned it may cause tears because it’s just that sweet.

(Video from Il Divo VEVO on YouTube)

]]>https://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/05/10/run-21-days-in-30-days-check/
Sat, 10 May 2014 15:45:07 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/05/10/run-21-days-in-30-days-check/Ok ok ok – run 21 days in 30 days wasn’t a goal…

On April 2nd I set out to run 30 days in a row, and I got through 12 days in a row and crapped out. I blogged around that time that my body (specifically my feet and knee) needed a break and listening to my body was important. So I took couple days off and felt kind of like a failure, but then I picked up right where I left off. I thought Ok, I didn’t make 30 days but how many could I do and still feel healthy?

So I kept running.

After 30 days, I had done 21 runs and logged 56.11 miles. Considering that my average monthly mileages hovers around 28 miles a month, I felt pretty satisfied. Also, when I started my 30 days of running, my average pace per mile (as a comfortable I could do this for many miles)was about 9:30/mile give or take. Here’s a run I struggled on back in March. Ugh!

Last year I ran a mile at 6:23 so I know I can be significantly faster, but typically I was having trouble breaking 9 minutes a mile on anything over 2 miles. As I neared the end of April, I was running sub 8 min/mile without really trying!

I also have a challenge to my students every year during Run for the Arts, where any kid who can do more laps than me earns no homework for the rest of the year. You can bet that motivates some kids to run HARD. Only two kids beat me (a first in my history of teaching, btw) and they both ran 5 miles in 31 minutes. Here’s my RFTA run.

The point of all of this? Sometimes you set a goal and end up with a different outcome than you planned. I didn’t make 30 runs in 30 days and I’m not sure whether I’m going to try again or not, but I cut a solid 2 minutes off my mile pace by giving it a shot. I also learned that it really isn’t that hard to squeeze in a 1-2 mile run in on most days, but some days it really was impossible.

I also learned that this would have been easier for a man. No really, it would. Some days I had events after work where it was important to look professional and I couldn’t roll in sweaty after a run.

So run before work! you might say.

Nay! I reply. I really wanted to, but it was dark and I have a rule against running alone in the dark.

So run at the gym before work! you might say.

Nay! I reply again. My new gym doesn’t open until 5:30 and some days I need to be showered, fed, and out the door by 7am. It just wasn’t feasible.

Why is it easier for a man? He could more safely run alone in the dark. He could run after work and throw some cold water on his face and slap on some deodorant and no one would be the wiser. A man also doesn’t have to worry about hair and make up and coordinating heels when getting ready in the morning. I’m not trying to pick on guys, I’m just saying don’t think I didn’t consider all the angles.

This month, I’ve moved my focus back to weights at the gym but I’m sprinkling those easy runs in between.

]]>https://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/05/04/books-and-classic-movie-of-april/
Sun, 04 May 2014 18:25:12 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/05/04/books-and-classic-movie-of-april/Once again, I failed to read three books for the month. I just couldn’t find anything that hooked me. I honestly got through half of a book called Here Lies Hugh Glass by John Coleman, but it just didn’t retain my interest…whereas my Nintendo DS did.

But here’s what I did fill my time with (other than “In the Kitchen with David” on QVC).

BOOKS

Macbeth – the Graphic Novel: by William Shakespeare – Yeah no really, it didn’t specify the name of an editor so apparently Shakespeare came back from the grave to write a pretty decent adaptation of his classic. I assigned this book to a group students to read and so of course I made sure to read it, too. At almost 200 pages, it’s much heftier than the Illustrated Classics many of us grew up with. Although some of the artwork is a bit cheesy, I felt that this version does a good job of integrating some of the original’s lines along with some modern explanation. My students were reticent when I hnded them something by Shakespeare, but they universally loved the novel (what 6th grader doesn’t love blood and murder?).

The Giver: by Lowis Lowry – That’s right. It’s a youth book club kind of month. Another teacher scheduled all of us to see the play of The Giver and although I know everyone else seems to have read it, I never had. I had read a synopsis here and there (and knew it was up my alley) but never officially got there. That being said, it turned out to not be my favorite. With stories like Hunger Games and Divergent so popular right now, we should all appreciate Lowry’s vision of dystopian society from 20 years ago. But I felt like the main character, Jonas, was a big whiner. I couldn’t connect with him. My students were split pretty 50/50, as well, but they really connected with the play and are excited for the movie (August this year).

MOVIE

The Silence of the Lambs – Yes, I’ve seen it many times, but not for many years. Recently I listened to a podcast on The Moth where one of the actors who played the paramedic told a pretty hilarious story about his very short scene. Knowing the backstory of this scene, I knew I had to see the movie again. ESPECIALLY since I’m spending my Wednesday nights in the FBI Citizen’s Academy. Man this movie is great! I love the way Jodi Foster’s character, Clarice, is constantly being diminished and marginalized by almost every man in the movie, and yet she becomes our ultimate heroine. Meanwhile, Hannibal Lecter is the only man who does not treat her like a lesser person, and for that reason, coupled with his eccentricities, he somehow becomes a bit of an antihero. For a woman who has frequently felt the subtle condescension of men in the workplace, I was hooked by her vulnerabilities and determination. If you haven’t seen it for awhile (or ever – gasp!), it’s available on Netflix right now.

]]>https://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/05/01/i-woke-up-like-this/
Thu, 01 May 2014 05:31:51 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/05/01/i-woke-up-like-this/I had an interesting conversation at my FBI Citizen Academy class tonight. An older man came over and said, “So how many years have you been a teacher? You like it…?” Wherein I replied with a perfunctory answer of yes it’s pretty good right now. He continued to stare at me in silence so I kept talking and told him I was applying for leadership positions, but was also happy that summer is around the corner. You know, the usual chit chat.

Then he says, “Yeah that’s the problem with women; they think they are going to get a high powered job and then they go and have a family and….” *insert record scratch sound here*

Did I just hear that right? I tried to change the conversation, but suddenly he wasn’t so silent. Not only did he espouse his views on how women were typically just not as good in the working world because they can’t balance work and family (is this 1950?!), but he even threw his own wife under the bus and said she only works half time to watch their kids. And he kept holding his hands up saying things like, “I’m not trying to talk bad about women, but…”

I’m not someone who likes to proclaim myself a feministnor do I raise my fist in salute when people start waxing intellectual about feminism. My personal view is that if someone doesn’t think you can do it, prove them wrong. Don’t whine and moan and burn your bra; just go out there and do it better.

But this dude really chafed me. He had to quickly ditch the conversation once my buddy David came over and the guest speaker was ready to roll, but I wasn’t easily going to forget this guy’s views.

Top 5 Things I Would Like to Challenge Sexist Dude On

1. Run a mile. This guy’s exterior doesn’t exactly scream fitness. I got that one in the bag.

2. Give a sales pitch. I’m pretty sure I’m more engaging, funny, and attractive (yes, ladies, use it if you got it).

3. Build a fire with flint. Sounds manly, right? Well I did it last summer, I can do it again.

And you know what I would say after I creamed him in all five categories? Let’s ask Beyonce.

]]>https://dashofpink.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/sort-of-regimented-happiness/
Thu, 01 May 2014 02:28:14 +0000deliaraatshttps://dashofpink.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/sort-of-regimented-happiness/I don’t know how many people will relate to this, but I know there are some, so here goes.

Spring is often a wonderful time of renewal and streamlining, a rejuvenation of resolutions and setting of new goals. And this spring, I feel all of that. However, Nick and I also began to feel something less bright – a sort of treading water feeling. Perhaps it’s simply grown-up life, but it seemed that between what our goals and priorities were, and what had to get done simply as errands and chores, there never seemed to be enough time. It was like running towards something, but that something was elusive, or disappointing when we got there. More worrying still was the thought that unless we were constantly in pursuit, we would fall into a lackadaisical boredom. This was not some existential crisis of the soul, but simply facts that we didn’t like.

I knew it was time to think deeply and intentionally to find balance and an actionable plan. So one lovely weekend afternoon about two weeks ago, we decided to pop into a coffee shop with a notebook and map out where we were headed, and a good sustainable plan for it. We learned some surprising things – for example, our time budget frequently was overpacked, and we were trying to stuff 25 and 26 hour days into one day, especially during the workweek. By contrast our weekends had plenty of time in them, which sometimes just meant dragging out items that could get done much faster and more efficiently. So we decided to make some changes, and I know that some of them sound crazy. Like I said, this won’t relate to everyone, since not everyone enjoys extensive and thoughtful planning quite like this little control freak organization lover.

We decided to offset our sleep schedule. In spite of all the great advice out there about keeping it consistent, we decided to throw that out the window – after all, we’re both young and have had our share of all-nighters and lived to tell the tale. We decided to try and scale back to 6 or so hours a night as a stated minimum on weeknights, and make up the difference during the weekends. We still get about 7 hours on a good amount of nights, but it’s nice that I’m no longer seeing 11pm on the horizon and then stressing out that it’s bedtime and I haven’t gotten everything done. We also decided to schedule in a weekly date night as well as a weekly Sunday review coffee date to reflect on the past week and plan for the next one. At first, I thought it funny and almost a bit business-formal, but it’s worked out really well!

I’ve also started trying to incorporate better habits into my routine. In addition to the practical ones of making lunches and breakfasts ahead of time and laying out my outfit the night before, I’ve started making sure to weigh myself every day (since weight loss/fitness is one of my bigger goals right now) as well as keeping a food diary (on my fancy new Fitbit!). I’m still working on the regular working out habit, that one’s not coming so easily. But one new habit which has already yielded marvelous results is keeping a gratitude journal. Every day, I sit down, reflect, and write down at least 3 things I’m thankful for that day. Some days it’s very easy – achieving a small goal, having a great day, enjoying a favourite food… other days, well other days it’s more of being thankful for the basics, like food, shelter, and safety. But this has put me in a way more positive state of mind, and this I think has spilled over into being happier and having better days – even Nick noticed the change in mental attitude!

How do you find yourself to be more productive, and more positive? Do you need routines and habits, or are you more happy-go-lucky?

]]>https://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/happy-birthday-david/
Mon, 28 Apr 2014 03:57:38 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/happy-birthday-david/Last night at dinner, my friend Courtney and I were trying to come up with a good birthday present for our friend, David. He’s not your average kind of guy. In fact, one time I even mentioned that if he had a reality show, you would think it was scripted because his daily life is unlike any other person we know. So in a birthday tribute, we decided we should share him with the world.

Happy Birthday, David. Hopefully you will still talk to us after this!

Top 10 Things to Know About David

1. He knows EVERYONE. Like seriously. Every time you go out to eat, he knows at least one person there. And it’s not like the same restaurant over and over, or the same part of town. You could randomly pick a place on a complete whim, and he will still know someone. This is also true in most public places. The grocery store. The mall. A 711 parking lot. In fact, he probably knows you.

2. Actually, he doesn’t know ANYONE. He doesn’t know that uber famous celebrity, or that song that’s been on the radio over and over and over lately. The other day he told me he literally had never heard of The Breakfast Club. When we go out to karaoke, he has this confused smile every time a new song comes up.

3. His favorite music is any club music circa 2001. Ok ok he knows some music. David is still totally jamming to any and all club hits from back when he was in college.

4. He’s a real “hands-on” kind of guy. David is a big fisherman and hunter and he makes a lot of stuff on his own. Summer with David is super fun because he’s willing to go on lots of adventures with me and Courtney. We picked berries and he built us a bitchin beach fire and he recently taught me how to go smelt-fishing. Last summer, he even made himself a pair of jean shorts. (Yes, he texted us a picture to prove it).

5. He likes to mess with people – particularly by lying. The first meeting I ever had with him, he convinced me his name was also Lindsay. Later that day I was telling people, “Yeah I met the new school counselor, Lindsay. He seems alright.” And everyone was like, “Dude, his name is David.” WTF?! And Courtney said the first time she met him, he followed closely behind her while she walked alone down a long school hallway, and he proceeded to lurk once she reached her destination.

6. He picks up roadkill. Remember when I said the reality show would look scripted? This one is totally true. We’ve seen the roadkill with our own eyes.

7. He hates condiments. Don’t you dare put mayo or ketchup on that burger! But BBQ sauce on the side will probably work.

8. He’s really good at his job. Whether it be taking care of students, or taking care of the staff, he’s always available. Courtney and I are sad we don’t all work in the same building anymore, but that’s ok – we can share him.

9. He likes to dance. This is probably because he seems to have absolutely no inhibitions at all. It’s a good thing he doesn’t drink because I’m a little scared what that might entail. Last year, our staff voted him “Best Dancer” at our end of the year party, and he even had to prove it when a drunk teacher refused to accept defeat and attempted wrestle the sash right off him.

10. He’s really into hashtags. We’ve tried to have a serious conversation with him about this, but he said he’s trying to keep up with technology so that he doesn’t get old. I guess we can handle that.

Thanks for putting up with all our adventures – #HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! #fromlindsayandcourtney #mgc

]]>https://dashofpink.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/fun-with-fitbit/
Sat, 26 Apr 2014 00:05:48 +0000deliaraatshttps://dashofpink.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/fun-with-fitbit/I know that most people tend to make big goals around January, especially with regards to fitness, but for me it’s spring when I actually feel inspired to set goals and make changes. Nick and I just finished up the main part of the cleansing diet we were doing, so now we have a clean slate and are making our health and fitness a priority. We realized that if with all our ambitions and goals, we need to take care of our health to keep productive and happy. One method I find more motivating than almost everything else is seeing numbers, stats, and progress.

Enter Fitbit. I knew that our metabolisms had been revved up as a result of the diet, so I wanted to have an accurate picture of what I was taking in, and what I was burning, as well as other indicators if possible. After researching various methods and devices for tracking, we settled upon the Fitbit Flex as being our best option. It’s a simple wristband that’s easy to wear, charges quickly, and costs about $100. It tracks throughout the day, lighting up from 1 to 5 lights as I progress closer to my daily goals. With it comes tracking online and via an app, which shows far more detailed statistics. Check out a screenshot of my dashboard.

You can see that it tracks, pretty much in real-time my steps taken, distance walked, active time, and even sleep. Most importantly to me, though, it tracks how many calories I burn throughout the day, which gives me a great guiding number when planning menus. Under the Log, you can also track your food and water intake. The Fitbit has a pretty impressive database of foods, though I do need to create my own sometimes, especially with homemade recipes. It also instantly updates my macronutrient amounts and proportions. You can also log and track things like weight, measurements, body fat percentage, BMI, heart rate (if you have a monitor), exercise, etc. Basically it has a little USB chip that needs to be put into a computer, and then it will sync when your wristband tracker is within 20 feet of the chip. I know I’ve found it very useful, and we’ve set ourselves both up with accounts, so that we can use it intermittently, which works great for finding our baseline metabolism, how much we move in an average day, etc.

I know it’s a fancy little gadget, and I know that simply having it on my wrist won’t make me magically lose weight. However, I am much more motivated since I can see feedback quicker, and it’s definitely tapped into that human instinct of wanting to see good stats, so I can say that simply having it around has encouraged us to start making healthier choices already.

Have you guys tried these fitness trackers? Thoughts on them – have they helped you or proved to not really make any difference?

]]>https://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/hire-me-you-idiots/
Tue, 22 Apr 2014 23:24:57 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/hire-me-you-idiots/Last month I threw my resume into our district’s Assistant Principal hiring pool, and last week several more “Mentor Teacher” positions were posted that I applied for. Tomorrow the interviews for those positions start and I never even got a call. Last year I applied for those jobs, as well, but I knew it was a long shot. I was way on the other side of town at a school with a terrible reputation, and I hadn’t kept in touch with the right people.

This year, I started networking during the first month of school. I submitted portfolios, asked for letters of recommendation, really threw it out there that I wanted to move into a leadership role. Not only did I talk about my goals, I continued to seize any opportunity (paid or unpaid) to show my skills. I kept in touch with everyone and the feedback was incredibly positive. “This is my year,” I thought.

But tomorrow the interviews get rolling and I didn’t even get called.

My problem is that I just don’t get it.

Last month I also paid to have a personality assessment done to have a better grasp on what I should work on professionally, as well as have some quality talking points during all these interviews I expected to get. This is what the non-biased assessment said:

Doesn’t that sound like someone who should get called for an interview?

And these were the characteristics and traits I was going to touch on, based on the report:

Not convinced yet? That’s ok. How about a page from my most recent evaluation? I’m happy to publicize that.

SO WHAT IS THE DEAL?!?!?!?!

I’m not asking anyone to lay out the red carpet for me. I certainly have A LOT to learn, but beings that I’m dying to learn more yet am constantly getting shut down is incredibly frustrating. Today one of my class’s vocabulary words was “despondent” and I couldn’t help but think of myself and my job search.

I swear I am not one of those people who asks a million dumb questions at a staff meeting; or someone who doesn’t finish things on time; or is constantly late; or calls in sick all the time; or cries at inappropriate times; or wears sweatpants to professional meetings.

So tell me: what am I doing wrong?

***Update three hours later: I was called for an interview. Moral of the story: put your prospective employer on internet blast to really let them know how serious you are.

]]>https://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/04/19/failure/
Sat, 19 Apr 2014 15:54:46 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/04/19/failure/Last week I posted about my venture to run 30 days in a row. I knew it would be hard, mostly on a mental level. And I’ll put it out publicly that I totally crapped out this week.

I made it 13 days in a row, pretty successfully I might add. Then on Monday I had taken a day off work to see the chiropractor and sign our taxes. Fitting a nice leisurely run would be incredibly easy. Yet, while checking in at the chiropractor, I realized just how much my body was hurting. My right calf had a huge knot, both my knees were a little tender, and for some reason my right shoulder felt off. I think subliminal red flag went off. When the doctor asked if I was training for something specific, I said, “Noooo, just seeing if I can run 30 days in a row…?” She laughed and said, “Well typically we suggest some rest days in between…”

That was the morning. After signing my taxes and having lunch with Thor, I headed home…straight to the couch. I watched like four episodes of Girls and took an intense nap. By 8:00 that night I was like a slug. I just didn’t feel like running.

On Tuesday, I said to myself, “Ok – you slacked one day…you haven’t given up. You took a much needed break.” My run that day was great and I had a lot of energy.

On Wednesday, I planned to run before work (at 5am) because I had my FBI Academy right after work. Of course, when I woke up, it was pouring rain and there was no sign of a sunrise. I didn’t run. You could chalk this up to laziness, but I actually have a pretty firm rule that I don’t take risky runs. 1) I don’t want to get hit by a car (thus running in the dark is a no-go), and 2) I don’t want to get assaulted (thus running alone in the dark is a no-go). I made an executive decision to stay home.

On Thursday, I ran a training at another school (with my buddy Angela) and by 3:30 I felt like I was coming down with something flu-ish.

On Friday, I was pounding Emergen-C at my desk to fight off any sickness, and I held up the white flag.

So ok, I didn’t get to 30 days…yet. I believe in listening to your body and while physically I know I could have kept going, I’m not sure pounding my knee into the pavement for 18 more days was a good idea. Like the doctor said, a body needs rest. And so does my mind.

Today is Saturday and I’m headed to Mt Tabor for my normal Saturday Morning Stair Run with very fresh legs.

]]>https://dashofpink.wordpress.com/2014/04/17/life-in-the-fast-lane/
Thu, 17 Apr 2014 23:04:40 +0000deliaraatshttps://dashofpink.wordpress.com/2014/04/17/life-in-the-fast-lane/Granted, the title is a bit of a misnomer, since our new mode of transportation doesn’t go out on highways, not to mention the fast lane. Nevermind that. We are proud to say we got ourselves some horsepower! In the form of… a motorcycle! Here is our new(ish) acquisition, a Kawasaki Ninja 250cc model, isn’t she purdy?

Granted, at this point, she’s not exactly a new purchase. We bought the Ninja back in the late fall, but then after a very short riding season, it basically hibernated all winter. This whole adventure started with Nick getting frustrated with his commute. It’s not too bad of a trip, per se, but once you add in all the construction around the downtown and lakeshore, it becomes quite the ordeal. So he thought he’d get a bicycle to ride to work and be done with it.

Well, in any other city, that would be fine, but here in Toronto that would be pretty risky, especially in rush hour, so there was no way I would let my sweet husband expose himself to those risks. I suggested a scooter, which we had already been discussing as an option for some time. Well, in a matter of weeks, he did loads of research, and took action – getting his licence, doing the safety training course, looking at what gear was necessary and then buying it. We had already been saving towards a goal like this, so the cash was on hand. Here he is about to embark on his motorcycle course:

Needless to say, once he had done the needed course, which was riding on actual motorcycles, the scooter seemed way less attractive than just getting an actual motorcycle. After even more research, and days and days of trolling Craigslist and Kijiji, an ad came up right in our neighbourhood for the exact one he wanted, and at a good price point too! We headed over, looked at the bike, and arranged to meet later in the week to finalize the paperwork and make the purchase.

He’s been riding it for a few weeks now that spring is back, and he loves it! He rides it for his daily commute to work, which is a far more enjoyable way to start the day, as well as for running small errands, and a few fun rides.

Now, the other main reason we wanted to buy this is so we can both travel with it. However, I tend to be a scaredy-cat about pretty much everything. We had to gently ride around the parking garage a few times first before we even braved the roads with both of us on it. Having ridden on it on the roads now, we can both safely say this is probably not the most ideal option for riding together. Nick found it odd at first adjusting to driving with two people on board, and from the passenger seat, you can feel every little bump in the road, which is not so fun. It’s definitely workable, and it’s been such a huge help when we want to quickly jaunt across town or run a brief errand, but this does have us considering a change to something a bit more comfortable. For now, though, it’s perfect for Nick and he loves riding it, so it’s been a fun little addition to our lives.

Any motorcycle riders out there? Sportbike or cruiser devotees? Feel free to chime in with your experiences!

]]>https://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/04/16/for-my-teacher-friends/
Wed, 16 Apr 2014 23:13:27 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/04/16/for-my-teacher-friends/The funny thing is that my colleague, Angela, and I have been leading professional workshops for several years now. We are a bomb team. We’ve dabbled in working with new teachers at universities, but mostly on a volunteer basis to take a pulse on whether we were wanted or not. Last year we decided, “NO MORE FREE LABOR!” It’s just not feasible when we already have so many other commitments in our lives.

(for the 99% of you who aren’t teachers, you can tune out now…)

This June, we are teaching a legit class for 3.0 graduate credits for the BARGAIN price of $165. How is the price so low?! you might ask. Well, we worked out a deal through our school district and Portland State University that allows hardworking teachers a high quality class for a cut rate. It’s like getting a Lexus for the price of a Hyundai. Ching!

]]>https://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/04/14/the-10000-hour-rule-and-9-ways-to-not-screw-up-your-middle-schooler/
Mon, 14 Apr 2014 22:50:15 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/04/14/the-10000-hour-rule-and-9-ways-to-not-screw-up-your-middle-schooler/There are very few things I claim to be an expert on. Several years ago, Thor started a podcast and was pushing me to start my own. The conversation went like this:

Me: “What would I even do a podcast on??”

Thor: “It’s like whatever you’re an amateur expert in. What do you consider yourself an expert on?”

Me: (long, thoughtful pause) “The Young and the Restless.”

And so my friend, Amanda, and I began a podcast dedicated to Y&R (mostly as a joke) and here we are five (?) years later, with over 90,000 downloads. Still blows our minds!

But seriously, what else would I consider myself an expert on? I was ruminating on this thought the other day, and I thought, “Well, I spend all day with middle schoolers…” and I did the math. Have you heard of the 10,000 hour rule? Basically the idea is that you can have talent in something, but you must truly invest your time to be an expert…thus 10,000 hours is the baseline for expertise. (I can’t say I’ve watched 10,000 hours of Y&R, but I can tell you I literally haven’t missed an episode since the mid 90s).

I started doing the math on what I might have contributed 10,000 hours to in my life. My problem is that I crave change and variety, and I’m not addictive or obsessive about most things (except cheese). What were my results? I’ve spent over 11,000 hours teaching middle schoolers (grades 6-8). That’s right, I’m an expert on the worst years of most peoples’ lives.

So I’m going to digress from my “list” for a moment.

All of us spent a few years being an adolescent, and some parents suffer through having an adolescent, but day-in and day-out I am exposed to the mercurial emotions and pungent body odor of adolescents. The funny thing is, I’ve discovered that most kids who struggle (academically, socially, hygienically…) in middle school are struggling for one specific reason: their parents.

That’s right: you are screwing up your kid. You are committing their social suicide. All day my Facebook feed is inundated with new moms posting pictures of their messy, drooling newborns and asking questions about their toddler’s body functions. But you don’t see people posting pictures of their teen’s terrible acne or disaster of a locker or bad grade on a terribly easy assignment. What’s the deal?

I’m not a mom. In fact, I never intend to be a mom. But according the 10,000 hour rule, I am an expert on the ages 10 – 14. And after a weekend of posting grades for the term and replying to anxiety-ridden parent emails, I’m going to tell you how to make your kid successful in middle school.

Top 9 Ways to Not Screw Up Your Middle Schooler

1. Make them pack their own lunch. Not only is it a good skill for them to learn how to plan and organize their own meals, they also suffer legitimate and immediate consequences for not planning ahead of time. This does not mean give them lunch money. This means they should help pick out the things they need at the grocery store and then make grown-up choices about their eating habits. (If packing their lunch is your special moment and you just can’t give it up, then do it only on Fridays or something.)

2. Don’t email their teacher about an assignment they didn’t turn in. This is so lame! By 6th grade, kids need to take responsibility! What are you teaching them when you act like their assistant?! Nothing good, I’ll tell you that.

3. Let them pick out their own clothes, but facilitate some guidance. We are old and kids pretty much all look the same to us. But to each other, they are all very different, and clothing is the basis for figuring out their identity. If you are picking out your middle schooler’s outfit, then you need to cut the cord. That being said, if your kid is going to school with a pot leaf crop top, you need to reign that cord in. See the balance? Kids are constantly reevaluating the social tiers and while I’m not saying that you should buy their way into popularity, I am saying you should buy their way out of being a complete outcast.

4.Buy them school supplies every month. Nothing sucks more than seeing a kid roll into class with his iPhone and brand new Nikes but not have a freaking pencil. Parents always go out and buy tons of supplies in September, and by December there’s nothing left. I watch kids suffer academically everyday because they are more concerned with trying to whittle an inch long piece of eraser into something they can use, than actively listening to the lesson.

5. Make them play outside without rules. Sadly, I have kids who frequently don’t have the skills to just “play.” Either they have been plugged in so much of their life that they don’t know how to have fun without a gadget, or they’ve spent so much time in structured activities (soccer, basketball, camp) that they don’t know how to navigate social situations. This leads to getting left out, or fighting.

6. Make them play on the computer. Did you know that computer coding is officially a required course in the U.K. starting next fall? If your kid doesn’t know how to really navigate their way through technology (and I mean do stuff you have no clue how to do), they are going to fall behind the curve for future job opportunities. Not only that, this is what kids talk endlessly about at school. They love to talk about and share the cool things they find online (and it’s way more innocent than what you are picturing).

7. Do not pull your kid out of school for a hair appointment. Or a nail appointment. Or shopping of any kind. This happens all the time! This tells your kid that their appearance is more important than their academics. And they also miss whatever they should be learning. This one is shameful.

8. Don’t do their homework. Yes, people do this. It’s pretty absurd. Do I even have to explain?

9. Make them shower! And wear deodorant! Kids are cruel, and if your boy or girl smells (and smellllll they do), they will get picked on. Often, the kid that smells bad doesn’t even notice, but the rest of the world does. Do us all a favor and force them to shower. A lesson on how to clean their face properly would also be good. And making sure they brush their teeth. Do that, too.

I know some other teachers will read this, so feel free to add your recommendations, as well!

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Sun, 13 Apr 2014 16:41:56 +0000ldeaconhttps://couponbomb.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/day-11-of-30/This morning I completed my 11th day of running in a row. I won’t lie: my body is tired. Surprisingly, mind my isn’t. I thought things would be the other way around.

To refresh, my rules of running 30 days in the row are that I must run at least one mile a day, and at least 10 miles a week.

It’s hard for me mentally to run only one mile. In my mind, it sounds kind of pathetic. But every Tuesday & Thursday I have a “bootcamp” class and on Saturdays I run stairs, so I don’t want to overdo things and kill myself.

I’m not trying to clock a certain amount of miles or a certain speed…just running everyday. Several people have asked me why I’m doing this. To which I reply, “Well……….…….why not?” I’ve written before about a quote I once read from an ultra marathoner who said, “A day I’m too busy to run is a day I’m too busy.” I think I’m trying to prove that no matter what my personal or professional responsibilities are, I can squeeze in one measly mile. This was put to the test a few times earlier this week when I had several unexpected things happen after work. It wasn’t easy to get out there, but I forced myself.

First off, let’s clarify that I am not applying for jobs in law enforcement. Nor are these academies for employment in the sheriff’s or FBI’s offices. They are essentially classes meant for to educate and inform people in the community, as well as advocate for certain programs within their offices. You get to hear directly from people who work in different areas of law enforcement (i.e. forensics or K-9 unit), and you have to apply with a good reason for being included.

While the Sheriff’s Academy was super fun (way more exciting than any college class I ever took), the quality of participants was a little questionable. I took the class with three of my educator colleagues, and I have to admit that we developed several nicknames for people in the class (Top That, Old Man Hair, Shorts Girl…) because they asked so many dumb questions, or shared so many inane stories. Thus I assumed the FBI Academy would also have similarly loose standards.

For the FBI Academy, I applied in January (I literally think my application was the first one submitted), and was shocked when I received an email stating that I was “wait listed”! Who, me?! Even worse, my friend, David, admittedly to me (with a nervous laugh) that he got accepted (ok, ok, he is more involved in a lot of community affairs so I agree he’s more qualified). I wanted to crawl into a hole. For eight months, I had been checking that same FBI Academy page over and over, waiting for the updated application. I’m the one who encouraged him to join these stupid academies. I deserved to get in. Over Spring Break, I kept lamenting how I should have put more work into my application.

Knowing how bummed I was, David called the FBI Academy on my behalf (despite my protests). It’s too bad he doesn’t work on a used car lot because he is pretty much the most persuasive person I know. A few days later, I got a call that a spot had “suddenly” opened.

Last night was our first official night, and it occurred to me that I was totally delusional. No wonder I was wait listed! The 34 other people were legit community and business leaders. I’m talking CEOs and CIOs and Directors of Security and someone who runs an African Diamond Farming enterprise. I was like, “Hi, I’m a teacher…” We spent three hours learning about the history of the FBI and then focused on Domestic and International Terrorism.

We have to lock up any electronics and walk through a metal detector, otherwise I would post some highly classified selfies over the next six weeks. Our final day will be (and I quote) “shooting guns and blowing up stuff” over at their training facility.